Wild Precious Life

In both fiction and memoir, William Dameron writes about coming out as a gay man, and what it might look like to start again with a great love affair in the second half of life. Dameron is the award-winning author of THE LIE, A MEMOIR OF TWO MARRIAGES, CATFISHING & COMING OUT. His most recent project, THE WAY LIFE SHOULD BE, is a novel, and it’s out now. In this episode, Bill and Annmarie talk abo...

At the end of the Vietnam War, when Beth Nguyen was eight months old, she and her family fled Saigon for America, but Beth’s mother stayed behind. In this episode, Annmarie and Beth discuss OWNER OF A LONELY HEART, Beth’s recent memoir. They talk about the uncertainty of growing up without a strong tie to your biological mother, and the way other people can step in to fill that void. Learn more ab...

Edan Lepucki is the author of three novels, including CALIFORNIA, WOMAN NO. 17, and her newest book, TIME’S MOUTH. In this week’s episode, Annmarie and Edan grapple with fleetingness and nostalgia. What if we could go back in time? What might be better? What might be worse? They also discuss parenting and how much raising children is itself a form of time-travel. Learn more about your ad choices....

justin a. reynolds always knew he wanted to be a writer, he even created his own book jacket when he was a kid. Fast forward and justin is an accomplished author whose debut novel, Opposite of Always, was a 2019 best seller. His most recent novel, House Party, is a novel in stories, written by ten different authors. In this episode, justin and Annamarie talk about wrangling authors, making the mov...

As a journalist, Ruchira Gupta stumbled upon a disturbing story: girls were disappearing from villages and being sold into prostitution in the city. Determined, Ruchira set about dismantling sex trafficking across her home country of India and around the world. She testified before Indian Parliament and lobbied the United Nations. She kept asking questions, kept sitting down with families, and kep...

Virginia Sole-Smith’s latest book, Fat Talk: Parenting in the Age of Diet Culture, investigates how the “war on childhood obesity” has caused kids of all ages to absorb a daily onslaught of body shame from peers, school, diet culture, and parents themselves — and her book offers research-based strategies to help. In this episode, Annmarie and Virginia talk about how to navigate anti-fat bias in sc...

Uzma Jalaluddin is having a banner year. She has two books coming out in 2023: Much Ado About Nada and Three Holidays and a Wedding (coauthored with Marissa Stapley). She wrote her first play, The Rishta, which was performed in Montreal this past spring. And her second novel, Hana Khan Carries On, is currently in development for film with Mindy Kaling. In this episode, Uzma and Annmarie talk about...

Laura Cathcart Robbins is the co-host of The Only One in the Room podcast and the best-selling author of the memoir Stash: My Life In Hiding. Laura had everything going for her: a beautiful home, great kids, a Hollywood marriage, but she still found herself trapped inside self-doubt, secrecy, and addiction. In this episode, Laura and Annmarie talk about Laura’s journey through addiction to sobriet...

Nic Stone is a writer and storyteller who has published thirteen books, including DEAR MARTIN, DEAR JUSTYCE, and ODD ONE OUT. Her latest title, CHAOS THEORY, follows two teens learning about mental health challenges, addiction, and the notion that everyone is worthy of love. In this episode, Nic and Annmarie talk about neurodivergence, antiracist teaching, and how to build a connection with absolu...

Maggie Smith is a poet, writer, editor, and teacher who has published several books, including KEEP MOVING, GOLDENROD, and YOU COULD MAKE THIS PLACE BEAUTIFUL. In 2016, Maggie’s poem “Good Bones” went viral. To date, it’s been translated into nearly a dozen languages, interpreted by a dance troupe in India, set to music by multiple composers, and read at Lincoln Center by Meryl Streep. Public Radi...

Tyler Merritt is a Nashville-based actor, comedian, vocalist, and creator of The Tyler Merritt Project. His viral video Before You Call The Cops has been viewed by over 100 million people worldwide. He is also the author of two books: I Take My Coffee Black and A Door Made Just for Me. In this episode, Annmarie and Tyler talk about their shared love of musical theater and how to choose love over h...

 Julie Carrick Dalton’s most recent novel, THE LAST BEEKEEPER, has been described as “a meditation on the fragile beauty of nature and the power of hope and resilience.” In this episode, Julie and Annmarie talk about the cuteness of bees, the blessings of loving and supportive parents, and how to open our eyes more fully to the beauty of the natural world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit m...

Sara Read’s debut novel is JOHANNA PORTER IS NOT SORRY, a “snarky, sexy, book-club-ready novel” about a painter turned soccer mom turned art thief. In this episode, Annmarie and Sara talk about mom guilt, flute-making, and how to reclaim a part of ourselves that has laid dormant for too long. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Klise’s acclaimed novels for teens include the Edgar Award-winning THE ART OF SECRETS and the ALA Stonewall Honor-winning LOVE DRUGGED. His newest book, I’LL TAKE EVERYTHING YOU HAVE, is a queer coming-of-age crime novel set in 1930s Chicago. In this episode, Jim and Annmarie talk about elementary school film strips, high school book clubs, and the importance of young people finding themselv...

Dr. Aric A. Prather is a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of California, San Francisco, where he codirects the Aging, Metabolism, and Emotions Center and helps lead the UCSF Insomnia Clinic. Dr. Prather is also the author of THE SLEEP PRESCRIPTION: 7 DAYS TO UNLOCKING YOUR BEST REST. In this episode, Aric and Annmarie talk about the importance of sleep health, stra...

Kwame Alexander is a poet, educator, producer and #1 New York Times Bestselling author of 37 books, including AN AMERICAN STORY, THE DOOR OF NO RETURN, and his Newbery-winning book THE CROSSOVER. In this episode, Annmarie and Kwame talk about shooting and missing, and how you have to keep playing the game and always keep taking your shot. They also discuss teaching difficult histories to young chi...

Ashley C. Ford is the author of The New York Times Bestselling memoir, SOMEBODY’S DAUGHTER. In this episode, Annmarie and Ashley talk about surviving family trauma, setting healthy boundaries, and how to trust the people in our lives to do their own mental health work. On the lighter side, Ashley and Annmarie also discuss yacht rock, Midwestern pride, and their favorite character on The Golden Gir...

As a follow-up to our reading of Nancy Colier’s THE EMOTIONALLY EXHAUSTED WOMAN, we’re doing a series of brief bonus convos. In this episode, we welcome Jen Dotsey, high school teacher, community minister, and all-around delightful human. Annmarie and Jen discuss soul friendships, giving grace, how to speak difficult truths, and the ways that our communities can be an antidote to hopelessness and...

As a follow-up to our reading of Nancy Colier’s THE EMOTIONALLY EXHAUSTED WOMAN, we’re doing a series of brief bonus convos. In this episode, we welcome Melissa McCaverty–mom, lawyer, classic car enthusiast, and all-around terrific human. Annmarie and Melissa discuss the quest for peace, afternoon karaoke, and following your dreams no matter how long it takes. Learn more about your ad choices. Vis...

As a follow-up to our reading of Nancy Colier’s THE EMOTIONALLY EXHAUSTED WOMAN, we’re doing a series of brief bonus convos. In this episode, we welcome Sarah Frauenzimmer–mom, writer, yoga teacher, and all-around amazing human. Annmarie and Sarah discuss the therapeutic necessity of self-compassion, the way happiness is often outward bound, and how going to the bathroom alone should not count as...

This week’s guest is Nancy Colier, author of THE EMOTIONALLY EXHAUSTED WOMAN: WHY YOU’RE FEELING DEPLETED AND HOW TO GET WHAT YOU NEED. If you are someone who constantly feels like you’re taking care of other people at the expense of yourself, this conversation is for you. In this episode, Nancy and Annmarie talk about healthy boundaries, self-care, and how to develop lasting vitality and truth in...

This week’s guest is Ryan Lee Wong, debut author of WHICH SIDE ARE YOU ON. In this episode, Annmarie and Ryan discuss intergenerational activism, transgender pronouns, the wonder of strip malls, and home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s guest is Angie Cruz, author of HOW NOT TO DROWN IN A GLASS OF WATER. In this episode, Annmarie and Angie discuss the importance of community, representation in literature, and how magic and connection are possible when we sit and fully listen to someone else’s story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our guest this week is Deb Perelman, author of three cookbooks, including most recently, SMITTEN KITCHEN KEEPERS. She’s not just a great cook, she’s like a kitchen fairy godmother. Deb taught Annmarie how to roast a chicken, how to roll dumplings, and how not to fear mushrooms. Because of her Smitten Kitchen website, Deb and Annmarie have cooked hundreds of meals together, but until today, they’d...

Our guest this week is Andrew Sean Greer who’s created one of our favorite dreamers in literature. His fictional character, Arthur Less, lives a somewhat disappointing life. Few of Arthur’s plans ever pan out, but there is often magic in the mayhem. In this episode, Andrew and Annmarie discuss foiled plans, dashed hopes, and how to discover new longings and brighter dreams when we wander–or even t...